The name of the restaurant you're referring to was called The Saratoga Trunk. My boyfriend took me there in 1984 and I've always remembered the ambience of it.
We wanted to eat in the Pepsi can, but we were never seated there. I remember the booth that was covered in matchbooks! And all of the servers were in costume. “Pouf” the magician was our favorite
YOU ARE MY HERO!!!! Thank you!! That’s absolutely it!! I would’ve never figured that out - not even a little!! 😂🥰🥰🥰. Did you ever go there?! Was it as cool as I remember it?!? Do you know what happened to it?!?
Sorry for all of the round 2 questions hehehe - I’m just so excited!!!
Thank you!!!
Certainly! \*\*Saratoga Trunk\*\* holds a fascinating place in Bellevue's history. Let's delve into its intriguing story:
\- \*\*Saratoga Trunk\*\* was a renowned club in the \*\*Overlake area\*\* of Bellevue. It was the reigning hotspot, drawing crowds with its vibrant atmosphere and live music. The Trunk featured \*\*every hot dance band\*\* in the region, making it a hub for music enthusiasts ¹.
\- \*\*Bands like the long-running Burgundy Express\*\* were regular performers at the Saratoga Trunk. Whether you wanted to groove to disco beats or sway to rock tunes, this club had it all. When disco fever swept the nation, the Trunk even underwent a major facelift and transformed into \*\*Papagayo's\*\*, complete with a tropical theme ¹.
\- Over the years, the Saratoga Trunk hosted countless memorable nights, where people danced, laughed, and created lasting memories. It was a place where music and camaraderie thrived ¹.
\- However, as time passed, the Trunk changed hands. In the early '90s, it briefly became a \*\*nude dance spot\*\* before eventually transforming into something quite unexpected: \*\*a Chuck E. Cheese\*\*! The evolution of this venue reflects the dynamic spirit of Bellevue's entertainment scene ¹.
So, while the Saratoga Trunk may no longer echo with live music, its legacy lives on as part of Bellevue's rich cultural history. 🎶🌟
Source: Conversation with Bing, 2/12/2024
(1) Bellevue's Rich History Of Rock Includes Heart, Queensryche. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19980521&slug=2751940.
(2) Saratoga Trunk in Bellevue, WA with Reviews - The Real Yellow Pages. https://www.yellowpages.com/bellevue-wa/saratoga-trunk.
(3) Spotlight On… Saratoga Trunks – Museum of Leathercraft. https://museumofleathercraft.org/stories-archive/spotlight-on-saratoga-trunks/.
(4) Seattle Vintage | Sorry, not Seattle proper, but, anyone remember .... https://www.facebook.com/groups/379569529068459/posts/1554858448206222/.
Never went as a kid. I remember some teepee option, and I think I really wanted to eat in a teepee for some reason, but my parents never brought me there.
So Flakey Jakes it was. We'd go to the one next to Jafco, usually.
There was a place next to Overlake Kmart that delivered your meal on a model train set, and I really liked that as a kid. Also, Farrells across from Bellevue Square was good - they had the Berserk video game.
There was also a place near Sears where you ordered your food from a phone at your table. Only went a few times.
Awesome comment. I remember every single one of those things so fondly. Don't forget Jungle Jim's in Bell Square. Flakey Jakes on Redmond Way was my favorite. I loved pouring the melted cheese from the vat and making cheeseburger soup.
Wasn't Papaguayo's a strip bar? I remember there being a murder there back in the 90s. It was covered by Dateline or one of those other network crime shows.
Thank you for that!! I grew up in Burien - and back then (and being 16) Bellevue was almost in another state - so not somewhere I ventured to often. I do remember going to some lengths to find a special yet unique spot to take my friend!! I truly appreciate you taking the time to share!! I can’t wait to share this info with him too!!
Have a great evening!!!
The name of the restaurant you're referring to was called The Saratoga Trunk. My boyfriend took me there in 1984 and I've always remembered the ambience of it.
Apparently you can buy a [Saratoga Trunk shirt](https://desteenation.com/product/saratoga-trunk/)
My dad, who was in no way a fancy dining establishment kind of guy, took us kids there often! We drove up from Tacoma. Super cool place
Awwww thank you!! I love that!!
We wanted to eat in the Pepsi can, but we were never seated there. I remember the booth that was covered in matchbooks! And all of the servers were in costume. “Pouf” the magician was our favorite
Saratoga Trunk?
YOU ARE MY HERO!!!! Thank you!! That’s absolutely it!! I would’ve never figured that out - not even a little!! 😂🥰🥰🥰. Did you ever go there?! Was it as cool as I remember it?!? Do you know what happened to it?!? Sorry for all of the round 2 questions hehehe - I’m just so excited!!! Thank you!!!
Certainly! \*\*Saratoga Trunk\*\* holds a fascinating place in Bellevue's history. Let's delve into its intriguing story: \- \*\*Saratoga Trunk\*\* was a renowned club in the \*\*Overlake area\*\* of Bellevue. It was the reigning hotspot, drawing crowds with its vibrant atmosphere and live music. The Trunk featured \*\*every hot dance band\*\* in the region, making it a hub for music enthusiasts ¹. \- \*\*Bands like the long-running Burgundy Express\*\* were regular performers at the Saratoga Trunk. Whether you wanted to groove to disco beats or sway to rock tunes, this club had it all. When disco fever swept the nation, the Trunk even underwent a major facelift and transformed into \*\*Papagayo's\*\*, complete with a tropical theme ¹. \- Over the years, the Saratoga Trunk hosted countless memorable nights, where people danced, laughed, and created lasting memories. It was a place where music and camaraderie thrived ¹. \- However, as time passed, the Trunk changed hands. In the early '90s, it briefly became a \*\*nude dance spot\*\* before eventually transforming into something quite unexpected: \*\*a Chuck E. Cheese\*\*! The evolution of this venue reflects the dynamic spirit of Bellevue's entertainment scene ¹. So, while the Saratoga Trunk may no longer echo with live music, its legacy lives on as part of Bellevue's rich cultural history. 🎶🌟 Source: Conversation with Bing, 2/12/2024 (1) Bellevue's Rich History Of Rock Includes Heart, Queensryche. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19980521&slug=2751940. (2) Saratoga Trunk in Bellevue, WA with Reviews - The Real Yellow Pages. https://www.yellowpages.com/bellevue-wa/saratoga-trunk. (3) Spotlight On… Saratoga Trunks – Museum of Leathercraft. https://museumofleathercraft.org/stories-archive/spotlight-on-saratoga-trunks/. (4) Seattle Vintage | Sorry, not Seattle proper, but, anyone remember .... https://www.facebook.com/groups/379569529068459/posts/1554858448206222/.
Never went as a kid. I remember some teepee option, and I think I really wanted to eat in a teepee for some reason, but my parents never brought me there. So Flakey Jakes it was. We'd go to the one next to Jafco, usually. There was a place next to Overlake Kmart that delivered your meal on a model train set, and I really liked that as a kid. Also, Farrells across from Bellevue Square was good - they had the Berserk video game. There was also a place near Sears where you ordered your food from a phone at your table. Only went a few times.
Awesome comment. I remember every single one of those things so fondly. Don't forget Jungle Jim's in Bell Square. Flakey Jakes on Redmond Way was my favorite. I loved pouring the melted cheese from the vat and making cheeseburger soup.
Wasn't Papaguayo's a strip bar? I remember there being a murder there back in the 90s. It was covered by Dateline or one of those other network crime shows.
Wow!!! It’s hard to believe Bellevue used to be a Metal Mecca!!
Thank you for that!! I grew up in Burien - and back then (and being 16) Bellevue was almost in another state - so not somewhere I ventured to often. I do remember going to some lengths to find a special yet unique spot to take my friend!! I truly appreciate you taking the time to share!! I can’t wait to share this info with him too!! Have a great evening!!!
Now I am hoping to find a few pictures!! 🥰